Discover the traditions and heritage of South of France

With its picture-postcard scenery, renowned gastronomy, diverse nature and rich heritage, the south of France is one of the most beautiful destinations for your next holiday. 

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The south of France is a land of unique heritage, where you can find some of the most beautiful villages. Such as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a must-see destination. The village has one of the oldest triumphal arches in France and a strong medieval past. Then Avignon, the city of the popes. A true cultural center, where the popes' palace, a Unesco heritage site, dominates the horizon. Aix-en-Provence, the city of a thousand fountains, the little Paris of south-eastern France, is a dream come true. Magnificent medieval and Renaissance castles dot the region. For example, the Gordes' castle, which dominates this perched village in the Luberon, or the one in Lourmarin, is still intact. Naturally, this medieval past is accompanied by a rich Christian one, with many churches and abbeys to visit. The Abbey of Sénanque, surrounded by fields of Lavender, is a real postcard of Provence.

Conquered by Rome in the 1st century BC, the south has an unprecedented architectural and cultural heritage from this period. Among the remains, find the ancient theatre and triumphal arch of Orange, the Arles Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the archaeological site of Vaison-la-Romaine. On the Côte d'Azur, there is the Trophée d'Auguste in Monaco and the site of Cimiez near Nice.

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When you think of Provence, you think of lavender and vice versa. Thanks to the region's sunny, humid and mild climate, lavender grows well. This versatile flower is used for many things: essential oils, candles, bath oils, perfumes, and more. In addition to being highly prized for aromatherapeutic purposes, you can make perfumes or soap. When the lavender fields are in bloom, you are treated to postcard-perfect views. 

An unmissable sport in the south of France.  Pétanque is a game of boules invented in 1908 in La Ciotat near Marseille. But the traditional game of boules from which it is inspired dates back to ancient civilizations, notably the Romans, who strongly influenced our Gaulish ancestors. It is a convivial sport that is played everywhere in the south on a fine day, often accompanied by a good glass of pastis during the aperitif. This aniseed-flavored alcohol is THE drink that represents the south par excellence. The famous Paul Ricard, who marketed this alcoholic drink with a taste of anise, star anise and liquorice with fresh water, called it pastis.

With its diverse landscapes, lush flora, magnificent castles, and grandiose mountains, Provence naturally became the muse of painters in the 19th and 20th centuries.  Cézanne's hometown of Aix-en-Provence (1939-1906) was the inspiration for many of his paintings. He felt such a love for the region that he dedicated a collection of over 86 paintings and 29 watercolors to it. His main muse, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, is located on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, which he painted more than 87 times. Van Gogh (1853-1890), a Dutch artist, painted a great deal of Saint-Rémy de Provence and Arles and emphasized the beauty of the Alpilles landscape and the olive groves. Nice was the muse of Henri Matisse (1869-1954), a city that fascinated him for its color palette, its light, and its proximity to the sea. Picasso (1881-1973) also fell under the spell of this region and was particularly fond of Arles, which reminded him of his native Spain, with its bullfights and its atmosphere.

A traditional handicraft: Marseille soaps and santons

The south of France is a land of know-how where craftsmanship and tradition are mixed. Soaps from Marseille are an obvious example. This soap is made with olive oil from the region, historically with a content of 72%. Today, there are only five traditional soap factories that continue to make soap traditionally. Santons are another richness of the region's crafts. These are figurines that represent the Christian Nativity, traditional trades, and characters of Provence. They decorate the cots during the Christmas holidays. It is in Carpentras, in Baux-de-Provence, or at the santon fair in Aix-en-Provence, that you will find the most beautiful Christmas santons.

As you can see, the South of France is a region rich in activities and history. Going on holiday there is the guarantee of a stay where you will not be bored!